“Six years ago, we started to talk about BIM, but the culture and digital maturity of practitioners was still to be built. Today, we are facing a very different situation. The sector has grown, in the public administration has become mandatory, and this has given a strong boost. There is still a long way to go, however.”
It was with these words that moderator Luca Moscardi, ASSOBIM board member, introduced, on Thursday, October 5 at the office of ESA engineering in Milan, the Talk Event entitled “The Value of Data in Real Estate,” an event promoted by ESA on the occasion of Milan Digital Week 2023, sponsored by Leica Geosystems.
Discussing the current state of the art and offering their views on the dissemination of data culture were:
- Eng. Cristiano Brambilla – Senior Vice President – Hines Italy
- Arch. Ruggero Poma – Development Director – Coima
- Arch. Riccardo Ronchi – Managing Director Development Management – Kryalos
- Eng. Donato Stoppiello – Manager – Efm
- Eng. Tommaso Lorenzi – BIM Manager MEP Department – ESA engineering
- Arch. Antonio Miano – BIM Manager Arch Department – ESA engineering
But what is data? And what defines its value?
Data is fundamental. “It is the oil of this millennium.” Its definition is not unambiguous, but for all stakeholders in the industry, it represents a mandatory necessity.
When it comes to data, it is important to understand and analyze its usefulness in a particular context, defining how to manage its production effectively in relation to market demands and needs. The data-driven approach starts with design. In fact, design choices are no longer conditioned solely by the designer’s feelings, and experience, but can be supported by solid data analysis.
This approach is based on an effective definition of needs, requirements, and performance indicators and is aimed at improving the end results as much as possible. The emerging scenario, on the other hand, calls for the standardization of information through clear guidelines or frameworks that can promote a common lexicon or shared language that promotes adaptability and application within the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a building.
As a result, the discussion focused on the ability to communicate and serve smart data coherently, enabling its practice throughout the entire project, from the initial stages to construction. When designing with the use of BIM, in fact, the project gains complexity, offering a faster and more advanced technological approach that allows a dialogue and integration of the various disciplines, but still, there remains a wide gap in the construction industry, which sees the construction site as a scenario where a more traditional approach is commonly adopted.
Another topic was the idea of a future digital passport for existing and new buildings, and finally, the potential of data and its interpretation, which is essential from the perspective of future end users.
Some of the challenges presented during the talk were the need to store a large amount of data, how to select the quality, how to manage and interface with the quantity of information, and, most importantly, the need to contextualize the data collected. The prospects are immense compared to the limitations that the big data scenario places on us.
